Tag: words beginning with e

An upright support (generally a tripod) used for displaying something. It is most often used to hold up an artist’s canvas while the painter is working or to hold a completed painting for exhibition.

Economy

The deletion of non-essential details to reveal the essence of a form. Also regarded as an element of good design. Click here for more information about this art principle.

Egg tempera

A medium created by mixing pure, ground pigments with egg yolk. This was a very common medium before the invention of oil paints.

Elements of art

Basic components of art-making. These key elements are color, form, line, shape, texture, and value. In any form of art, at least of one of these elements is used. For more information about this subject, please see the discussion on the basic elements of art.

French for “in open air,” used to describe paintings that have been executed outdoors, rather than in the studio.

Etching

An impression made from an etched plate; an intaglio process in which an image is scratched through an acid-resistant coating on a metal plate. The plate is then dipped in acid which eats into the exposed surface.

Exhibition

A public showing of a piece or a collection of objects. Also called an exhibit.

Expressionism

Post-World War I European art movement that emphasized the expression of inner experience rather than solely realistic portrayal. This art form emphasizes the expression of subjective emotions and responses that objects and events arouse in the artist rather than objective reality. It is characterized by distorted lines and shapes and exaggerated colors for emotional impact. Vincent van Gogh is esteemed as the forerunner of this particular movement.